News Briefs: Jan. 28, 2013

UF Law staff member wins Superior Accomplishment award

Tanya Dampier, the program assistant for the UF Law Center for Career Development, won a Division Three 2013 Superior Accomplishment award. The award celebrates UF staff members who go above and beyond their duties.

Dampier was nominated by the career development staff, all of whom submitted letters detailing her exceptional dedication. For example, according to Rob Birrenkott, interim assistant dean for career development, Dampier’s efforts on an employer outreach program led to a 25 percent increase in employers participating in fall’s on campus interviews.

An award ceremony will be held on Feb. 20, where Dampier and other winners will receive a $200 award, a certificate and a coffee mug.

CCD legal interviewing program Tuesday at noon

Are you looking to improve your legal interviewing skills? The CCD is here to help. On Tuesday at noon in the Chesterfield Smith Ceremonial Classroom, HOL 180, join Pamela Spalter, an executive coach with 19 years experience in employer/employee consulting services for a presentation. Attendees will develop the skills that will help them ace a legal interview. From the initial handshake to the follow up thank you note, this program will provide you with all of the essential information that you need to know.

CCD launches new initiative to expand student services

The Center for Career Development will hold an informational session on Wednesday at noon in the Chesterfield Smith Ceremonial Classroom, HOL 180, designed to inform 2Ls and 3Ls about how they can participate in the “UF Law Career Roadmap.” The program is designed to use technology to conveniently help 2Ls and 3Ls devise and implement a job searching strategy. The program will provide students with weekly concrete action steps, guides, resources and rewards to help them reach their career goals. The CCD appreciates that developing a job searching strategy that goes beyond OCI is a process. The CCD want to do everything possible to help students with that process in a way that compliments their busy schedules.

Opportunities in the Legal Profession Program

The law firm of Becker & Poliakoff is hosting a program, Opportunities in the Legal Profession, on Friday at noon in the Rare Book Room. At this event, Becker & Poliakoff will also celebrate the UF second-year law student recipient of a $5,000 Diversity Scholarship and a summer associate position with the firm. Students who would like to attend should RSVP under the events tab on Symplicity.

LIC Notes: Not just books

Did you know that the Legal Information Center lends more than books? For many years, the LIC has lent videos and DVDs. In the past few years, it has also added additional technology to assist faculty and students with their scholarship and studies:

In August 2010, the LIC added two flip video cameras that can be used for such things as filming student trials or faculty research interviews.

The Sum & Substance series of CDs, which provides students and recent graduates with the option to learn on the go via auditory learning methods, was initially added in December 2010 and is updated regularly.

Beginning in the fall of 2012, the LIC added universal PC chargers, Mac laptop chargers, and external DVD drives to the technology that faculty and students may check out.

The LIC strives to meet users’ technological needs by keeping abreast of new developments and will continue to add to our collection.

Multicultural & Diversity Affairs showcases annual MLK celebration

Multicultural & Diversity Affairs is proud to showcase the annual University of Florida Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration 2013. UF celebrates King’s legacy and his commitment to social justice through a collaborative campus-wide celebration of educational programs, social events and service initiatives designed to empower participants to use their strengths, passions and talents to better the lives of others and impact their community. This year’s celebration began Jan. 21 and goes through Thursday. Visit www.UFMLK.org for more information.

Preemption — the subject of the 12th Annual Richard E. Nelson Symposium taking place Feb. 8 at the Hilton Conference Center in Gainesville — is a matter of concern to lawyers in the public and private sectors and to government officials at all levels. UF Law has assembled an outstanding group of national and state experts to examine the serious puzzles posed by federal and state preemption of local regulatory activity in five provocative areas: firearms, hydrofracking, immigration, renewable energy and agriculture. Clear guidance from state and federal courts is rare in this area, which means that lawyers struggle with locating the legally defensible “comfort zone” for state and local statutes, ordinances, permitting, and regulation.

Speakers are:

John R. Nolon, professor of law, Pace University School of LawMichael O’Shea, professor of law, Oklahoma City University School of LawRick Su, Associate professor, SUNY Buffalo Law SchoolHannah Wiseman, assistant professor, Florida State University College of LawMichael Allan Wolf, Richard E. Nelson Chair in Local Government Law, University of Florida Levin College of Law

Law student presenters are:

Electronic Discovery for the Small and Medium Case April 4-5, 2013

The University of Florida Levin College of Law and Electronic Discovery Reference Model are pleased to announce the first-of-its-kind conference devoted to “Electronic Discovery for the Small and Medium Case.” The Conference will be held April 4 and 5, 2013, at the University of Florida Law School campus and also will be broadcast live.

The Conference will focus on solutions to the difficulties, issues, and decisions that attorneys face in competently and cost-effectively handling e-discovery in small and medium cases. The Conference will feature demonstrations of a new generation of right-sized e-discovery software and tools for each phase of the e-discovery process in small and medium sized cases and include starter e-discovery toolkits for each in-person attendee.